Friday, 28 May 2010

With reference to the Blackmore War Memorial: in tracing back my family history I believe that the J Thomas listed is my great uncle.

Joseph Thomas was born in Blackmore to Henry Richard and Mary Emily Thomas, who I believe lived in Hooks End. His regiment was Household Cavalry and Cavalry of the Line (inc. Yeomanry and Imperial Camel Corps) Battalion - Staffordshire Yeomanry (Queens Own Royal Regiment) Number 301803. He died on the 14 October 1918 in Egypt, and is buried in the Alexandria (Hadra) war cemetery.

I have also been led to believe that my grandfather John Thomas may have also served in the same Regiment. I can find no official records of this though.

As far as I am aware the Thomas family lived in Blackmore for a number of years until Henry and Mary died and it then seems that the children scattered.

I hope this is of use to you.

Many thanks for producing a great website.

Clare Goodwin

Replied21 April 2010

Thank you Clare for contacting me. Please find attached the Group’s research regarding your relatives, in particular Joseph Thomas. [This will be published on http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/ww1_joseph_thomas.html in due course]. The family certainly lived in Blackmore but, as you say, must have moved away after Henry’s death in 1899. We find Joseph married and living at Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, at the outbreak of the First World War, so he is not commemorated on the Blackmore War Memorial. Any other information you have would be gratefully received.

Thursday, 27 May 2010

Work has commenced cleaning and re-engraving Blackmore's War Memorial. The 102 names originally commemorated will be reinstated with no names added, and no perceived errors amended. Both the Parish Council and researchers believe that this is a historic monument and that it would be wrong to alter history.

The Brentwood Gazette, the local newspaper for the area, has published articles on 5 & 12 May. The Parish Council (12 May) emphasised that the memorial would be reinstated without addition.

Work is in progress to publish research into the lives of those commemorated online, including those with an association with Blackmore not listed on the War Memorial. Go to http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/blackmorewwone.html for a list. A permanent record will also be created in paper form - as a book.

I will keep you updated on progress.

RegardsAndrew

Received16 May 2010

Hi AndrewThanks for keeping me updated on progress.

By the way would you be interested in the only photograph I have of my Grandfather in uniform?

Regards, Colin

Replied16 May 2010

Colin

Yes please. We would very much appreciate a photograph for publication on the website and commemorative record.

RegardsAndrew

Received17 May 2010

Hi Andrew

Attached are files which you can use as you see fit. [These all may be found on http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/great_war_gallery.html]. One is the photo of Herbert Game in uniform [see above]. The second is his inscription on the Thiepval memorial (plus a bit of me!!) and the third is a memorial to the fallen of WW1 which includes Herbert. The memorial is in the porch of Chelsfield church (St Martins); Chelsfield is near to Farnborough. As far as I know Herbert was not included on the Farnborough war memorial. Herbert's wife (my Grandmother) re-married a Richard Clark who was sexton at St Martin's for 20 years and I assume that is the Church where they worshipped and hence why Herbert was included on that memorial.

If you look at the plaque you will also see included Andrew Symonds (albeit it should have been spelt Symons) who was the brother-in-law of Herbert and he certainly had no connection with Farnborough or Chelsfield. I assume that you looked at the memorial in St Giles? Strangely Andrew is also commemorated in the churchyard with an individual plaque. As an amateur historian you might be interested in the fact that he died of wounds received at the battle of Dogger Bank whilst on board the flagship HMS Lion (also famed for its later engagement at Jutland) which was hit by a salvo from a German battleship. The history books I have read all state that no-one was killed on HMS Lion which I suppose was technically correct !

Regards Colin

Replied20 May 2010

Many thanks, Colin, for generously sending a copy of your grandfather’s photograph in uniform plus copies of the memorials where he is commemorated. Andrew

Wednesday, 26 May 2010

Research into the names of those who fell in the Great War associated with Blackmore has reached the conclusion of its main phase. Of the 45 listed there were three names which warranted further research. It can now be confirmed that Herbert Larke was never a Blackmore resident but his parents moved to the village after the First World War in 1923/24. We will commemorate him as an individual associated with Blackmore because the Commonwealth War Graves Commission records his parents as Blackmore residents. Ernest Samuel Knight has been traced successfully to Blackmore, albeit that he actually lived over the parish boundary in Fryerning. His story will be told soon on this blog. The third, Frank Leslie Stokes Oliver, despite a claim of Blackmoor birth appears to have no connection with the village. Our complete list reads as follows:

Friday, 21 May 2010

I am researching the Walker and Pagram families of Blackmore Essex and would like to take advantage of your lookup service.Daniel Walker, who was my great grandfather, died on 27th May 1912 at Blackmore but I do not know where he is buried.If you are able to assist I will be very gratefulregardsMarienne FaullNSW Australia

In return I wonder whether you are able to assist regarding a query the ‘Blackmore War Memorial Research Project Group’ have regarding a Corporal P. Pagram who served in the Essex Regiment during the First World War and returned home after the conflict. We have two possible names:- Percival Philip Wilfred Pagram, baptised Blackmore 6 September 1896- Percival William Pagram, buried 25 April 1974, aged 77.We wonder whether this could be the same person? Can you help?

Best Wishes

Andrew

Received18 April 2010

Dear Andrew,Thank you for your very prompt reply, now I know which cemetery I have to visit when I make my big trip back to England, how I wish I had been doing my family history when I was there.

I don't think Martha belongs to me, but the details will be kept on file just in case she turns up later.I am not able to help with your Pagram fellow, but I can give you an email address for a 'cousin' who is descended from my Joseph Charles (Charles Joseph) Pagram. [The e mail failed]. They did seem to swap their names about - my guess is it is the same fellow.

Saturday, 15 May 2010

A video of work in progress on Blackmore War Memorial - taken at 6.20am on Friday 14 May 2010. The refurbishment is being undertaken by Bennetts, the long-established Brentwood firm of funeral directors and monumental masons. Blackmore, Hook End and Wyatts Green Parish Council (to give the full title) are custodians of the memorial and have commissioned this work.

Bruno Giordan, a member of the Blackmore War Memorial Research Project Group writes:

“I have found the service record for Albert Edward Wheal, who was demobbed in 1919 as L/Cpl, MGC.

“He gives his address as 10 Stondon Road Blackmore – this is clearly a name that has changed, but could be Tipps Cross Lane. His next of kin are father Charles, and wife Annie. He was mobilised in 1916 aged 28, and joined the 3rd Essex. 3 months later he was transferred into the MGC, where he was lucky to have survived. His service no. was 35906.”

Karen from the Western Front Association writes:

“I'm pleased to be able to write that I showed Ian Hook the photo of Ted Wheal on Wednesday and he confirmed that the cap badge is definitely the Essex Cap Badge. He said that Ted was wearing an "economy pattern service uniform" which was only used during the Great War. This photo must have been taken following his enlistment and prior to his transfer to the MGC so the date can be tied down quite tightly.”

I am delighted that we are able to tie the story and picture together.

We would like to get hold of as many pictures we can of these servicemen either in uniform or on civvy street for inclusion on our new gallery page (http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/great_war_gallery.html). If you have any pictures for inclusion they would be gratefully received.

Regards

Andrew

Received1 May 2010

Many thanks for the info sent to me. It all helps to fill in gaps in the tree.

Whilst following through loose ends on the War Memorial Project – which inevitably produce more loose ends! – I looked at this document and in passing noted that the only Livings monument is the one I mentioned previously. All other Livings relatives must have been buried without a memorial or the inscriptions were so faded in 1997 that they could not be read. Probably the former is the case.

I also noted that Passover and Rebecca Livings are on the Electoral Roll in 1922, living in Fingrith Hall Road [ERO C/E 2/1/5].

I also noted a baptism at High Ongar of Mary Ann daughter of Passover and Rebecca Livings on 26th March 1899 [ERO D/P 68/1/11].

This was by no means a diligent search for Livings relatives. Just notes in passing.

Andrew

Received25 April 2010

Dear Andrew,

Thank you very much for the baptism details of Mary Ann daughter of Passover and Rebecca Livings, which is another blank space filled thanks to your help.

Although the War Memorial does not record any names of those from the Second World War, a webpage has been created and updated relating to this conflict (http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/blackmore_ww2.html). Sixty five years after the close of WW2 we remember those who died and those who served too.

Friday, 7 May 2010

The chap who recorded the Blackmore Memorial back in 1990 no longer lives locally and so I'm not able to go back to him, but, over the years, I've got quite used to his writing When he recorded the memorial he clearly noted it as G Wray Labour Corps. The difference between his c and g is marked, so back then, he clearly thought he read G. My husband and I have also looked at the photo you sent with this email and we both read G, the shape of the still clearly defined Cs is different, but that’s only our idea.

Best wishes

Karen

Sent6 April 2010

BrunoDiana

Here we are with another curse of the letter 'C' and 'G'. Bruno thinks that this is C for Charles but the WFA say it is G for George. There is no reason it cannot be either. Charles was 21 in the 1901 census, George was 6.

Diana: would you see what you come up with when you do a rubbing?

Regards

Andrew

Received15 April 2010

Ancestry military records were not much help here, but there appears to be no medal record for Pte. Charles Wray. There is, though, a choice of 3 George Wrays:- R. Fus., transferred to Labour C., no. 59258- Lincs R, transferred to Labour C., no. 80458- W. Riding, transferred to Labour C., no. 565895I did not find any other military records for these three.

Bruno

Conclusion

The rubbing plus source documents confirmed that the letter is G for George.

Thursday, 6 May 2010

I am enquiring whether you can help me sort any questions that I have on my descendents Thomas Sitch and Anne Hudgell.

I know that they lived in Hall Cottages KH and are buried in St Nicholas but I cannot get the connection between the KH Sitches and the Blackmore Sitches. I am sure that Thomas was born in Blackmore and his parents were Thomas and Sarah.

Any help would be very wonderful.

Kind regards

Lynn Cooper

Replied20 April 2010

Hello Lynn

Would you please provide me with some dates so that I can do a search? I will post your enquiry on the blog. Another suggestion is to take a look at History House which has extensive coverage of Kelvedon Hatch.

Regards

Andrew

Received20 April 2010

Hi Andrew,

Thanks for your help, my Thomas was born in 1776, I know that there is another Thomas born 2 years different which I think is the Blackmore line. He was a woodman and in the 1841 census they were all in Hall Cottages Kelvedon Hatch, with the exception of Harriet and my GGGrandmother Sarah, who was living in London. Sarah married William Lash and then James Barker all from Navestock

If you need any more info let me know

Kind regards

Lynn

I have looked at the History House, but I still cannot make the connection between Thomas Sitch and his Blackmore relations

Wednesday, 5 May 2010

Work is scheduled to begin today restoring Blackmore’s War Memorial on the village green. The Essex branch of the Western Front Association has expressed pleasure that the work is under way.

Michael Livings, who has contacted the Project because he is a descendant of some of those remembered writes:

“I'm so pleased to hear that work is underway. It really is the very least that can be done to honour those who gave their lives for us. Having a connection with one of the fallen, I can see by the number of children that were common to families at the time and it gave me pause to think how very many lives were affected. I've looked at the size of some contemporary Livings family members and 10 children were not uncommon. It's dreadful to think how many little children nationwide lost their Father and with the passing of years, I think that we have forgotten this.

“I look forward to watching for further updates to you ever more impressive site.”

Tuesday, 4 May 2010

My wife is researching our family history and has come across your webpages for Blackmore. I believe the C Pratt you are looking for on the War Memorial is my great uncle, Cecil Pratt.

Christened Arthur Cecil Pratt, but known as Cecil, he was the son of Charles and Laura Pratt, one time residents of Hay Green Farm, Blackmore. His grandparents were Charles and Charlotte Pratt, whose son Rowland Richard Pratt, Cecil's uncle, is also mentioned on your pages.

Cecil was born in 1885 and we know from the 1901 census that he was in Ipswich training to be an engineer. We also know he was injured in the First World War and died in 1918 from injuries sustained during that time, at the age of 33.

Hope this information is of help to you but please do not hesitate to get in touch if we can be of any further help.

Regards

Ian

Replied13 April 2010

Hello Ian.

Many thanks for contacting me. My notes (some published on the website, some not) show a succession of Pratt family members at Hay Green Farm. Firstly Charles (with Laura and a growing family by 1881), then Sidney (1891 census) then Rowland (in 1911) but no family members present on the 1914 Electoral Roll. I could not find Arthur Cecil on my list of Blackmore baptisms but know that your forebears were churchwardens. Can you confirm his whereabouts in 1891 and whether he was a Blackmore resident?

Are you able to confirm whether Arthur Cecil served in the RAF?

Andrew

Received13 April 2010

Hello Andrew

Thanks for your email.

Charles and Laura Pratt were Arthur Cecil's parents and Sidney and Rowland were his uncles. The family lived first at Hay Green Farm and then moved to Castle House in Ongar. Arthur Cecil was born at Castle House Farm.

In 1891 he was just six years old and living with his parents at Castle House Farm, although he did later study at The Oakham School, Kingsley, Hants, as did most of his siblings. We know that he preferred to be called Cecil rather than Arthur.

As far as we know he served with the Royal Flying Corps, not the RAF, which was formed later. We have not as yet had the time to be able to verify this with actual documentation although we do have a photograph of him in uniform.

Regards

Ian

Replied15 April 2010

Dear Ian

Thanks for your e mail. I have found Charles Pratt recorded in the 1890 edition of Kelly’s Directory as a farmer at Castle Farm and Home Farm. I also have found an entry for Charles Pratt on the 1918 Electoral Roll for Chipping Ongar, residing at Castle Farm.

There were no Pratts, as far as I know, living in Blackmore in 1918. The problem I have is linking Arthur Cecil Pratt to Blackmore, particularly since he was born in Ongar and may have not lived in Blackmore, unless you have any evidence to the contrary.

I could not find a commemoration to A C or C Pratt on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website.

However it would be wrong of me to dismiss this name as the possible entry in the War Memorial because of the strong connection which existed at the time between Grace Pratt, who married Herbert Brown and then Stanley Petrie, the son of the Vicar of Blackmore. We also see the placing of a contemporary memorial window in the church to the memory of her parents and of her late husband. C. Pratt is listed as a survivor, as someone who served who was connected with the parish. Arthur Cecil Pratt could be that connection, even if to my mind somewhat tenuous. There were no laid down rules as to who should and should not be included on parish war memorials. It was a matter of local discretion, that’s why we see names both duplicated and omitted when memorials are listed and compared.

My inclination is to record Arthur Cecil on our list but with a question mark.

What do you think? I would be interested to see whether there is any evidence I am not aware or have missed.

Thanks for your interest and contact.

Regards

Andrew

Received15 April 2010

Odd that they should include him as a survivor. If he died in England, there are two candidates:Deaths Dec 1918 Pratt Arthur C 33 Romford 4a 1052Deaths Mar 1922 Pratt Arthur C 32 Medway 2a 1173Only the first has the correct age, so we can only assume that the news had not reached the committee by 1919, when the carving was commissioned.

Bruno

Replied15 April 2010

Bruno

Did you find these on CWGC? If so I must have only looked at 1918. I responded to Ian (see above).

Andrew

Replied16 April 2010

CWGC does not show him as a casualty. Ancestry only lists army records. So there’s not a lot of help available from these sources.

I have submitted the question “Sgt./Mec. [Arthur] Cecil PRATT RAF appears on Blackmore war memorial as a survivor, but we think he may have died 1918 from wounds. Do you have any records on him?”. I will let you know if I receive a reply.

Bruno

Received18 April 2010

Hi AndrewI think it is because we know the Pratts had such connections with Blackmore that made me feel that this could possibly be Cecil but quite understand your concerns. Sadly we have no further information at present. However, if the memorial was originally shown with C Pratt my feelings are that this should remain. If it should prove to be Arthur Cecil Pratt, I do know that he was always known as Cecil and not Arthur, even as a young lad.

We still have lots of research to do with regard to our family tree and feel we have just scratched the surface. However, I am not sure if you are aware but Peter Fry, who is also listed as a church warden for Blackmore church, was the brother-in-law of Charles (married to Laura), Rowland and Sydney. Although originally from Somerset, he married Charlotte, sister of the aforementioned and son in law to Charles and Charlotte Pratt.

I do hope this is of some help to you.

RegardsIan

Replied19 April 2010

Hello Ian

Thanks for your e mail. Just in case I might have given a misunderstanding please be assured that C Pratt will be recarved on the War Memorial when it is refurbished this summer. There are no plans to add or delete names. The Group is keen that names, where faded are properly recorded.

A member of the Project Group is following up other possible leads. If we turn up anything we will write to you.

I was not aware of the connection of Peter Fry with the Pratt family.

Best Wishes

Andrew

Received21 April 2010

Hi AndrewThanks for your email.If we discover any more we will also let you know.Many thanks.Ian

Monday, 3 May 2010

During the tracing of a survivor of the Great War the Blackmore War Memorial Research Group came across two possible surnames: Jobson and Jopson. Which could it be?

Received4 April 2010

There is an Alfred JOPSON in the 1911 Blackmore census, age 23 born Writtle, who had been married to Kate Elizabeth for two years. His is the only Jopson family in the Ongar RD, and there is no Jobson.

There is also the civil record of the marriage in Chelmsford RD Q3 1909 of Alfred JOPSON and Kate Elizabeth STONEHAM.

Side 2 of the memorial is quite badly worn. It may of course say Jobson, in error. Is this a case where a rubbed image might be useful? I hasten to say that I have no brass rubbing experience!.

Bruno

Replied11 April 2010

BrunoDiana

A good look at the War Memorial is essential here because both Jobson and Jopson appear in the Parish records.

7 July 1910. Baptism entry for George Alfred, son of Alfred and Kate Elizabeth Jopson.

Puzzling. It appears that the names were interchangeable.

Andrew

Received14 April 2010

This man’s service record uses the form Jopson throughout, and this is how he signs his name.

Born ca. 1888, he lived at 11 Blackmore Green NS, and was a gardener. He enlisted in the RGA 54 AA Coy on 6/6/1916, and was discharged sick on 20/6/1917. He married Kate Elizabeth STONEHAM at Moulsham on 17/7/1909, and their children George Alfred and Ellen May were both born in Blackmore.

Of course, the inscription on the memorial could still be Jobson …

Bruno

Conclusion

Diana Abel confirmed that the name carved on the memorial is ‘Jobson’. The Group are of the view that since the War Memorial is an historical document this seeming error should remain.

Sunday, 2 May 2010

I have just come across the Blackmore web site and the information about work to be carried out on the War Memorial.

I have an interest in the War Memorial because of the 'Game' connection and I have travelled to Blackmore in the past to take a firsthand look at it.

For you information Herbert Charles Game (one of those commemorated) was a distant relation of mine (1st cousin once removed). In the past I have provided what information I had about him to the Thiepval Memorial database which prior to that had no data about him. In my family history research I have so far not been able to find him or any of his immediate relations in the 1911 census, but his father is probably recorded in the 1910 electoral register for Blackmore.

His uncle, Herbert Game (my Grandfather), was also a casualty at the Battle of the Somme and was also a resident of Blackmore (Swallows Cross) where he married my Grandmother in 1909. The vicar at the ceremony was Walter Clayton Petrie - much mentioned on the web site. To the best of my knowledge the family was still living there at the time of my Grandfather's death in 1916 (they were certainly there in 1911 as recorded in the census). It is strange that he is not commemorated on the Blackmore memorial, but is on the memorial at Farnborough, Kent where my Grandmother moved to after his death.

I am also intrigued by the inscription for survivor Henry Game since no-one with that name was a member of the two 'Game' families living in Blackmore, but it could obviously be another ancestral line.

Since then I have discovered that Herbert Charles Game and his father, Charles Game, were probably residents of Doddinghurst.

Regards,Colin Game

Replied15 April 2010

Hello Colin

Many thanks for your intriguing E mail in which you have confirmed two Herbert Game’s with Blackmore links. Our research to date had found both Herbert Games: one Herbert Charles, commemorated as fallen on our War Memorial; and the other, we established and dismissed as living Brentwood and connected with Farnborough in Kent.

As you may be aware, the Blackmore War Memorial contains not only the names of those with died in the Great War but also the survivors. Our research had established two possible H Game’s as survivors: a Henry, recorded in a contemporary Electoral Roll (1920) resident at Swallows Cross; and a Herbert, married on 6 October 1909 at Blackmore. Revd. Walter Layton Petrie was the Vicar who married your grandfather and grandmother.

Of your grandfather, we established from the Essex Regiment Museum the following information: “One candidate, now dismissed, fell in the Essex Regiment. He was born Cockfield, in Suffolk; lived at Brentwood; and, enlisted at Warley. A/Sgt Game was killed in action in France, aged 38, on 15.10.1916. He was the son of Robert and Sarah Ann Game and husband of Alice Louisa Game of Farnborough in Kent [source: Essex Regiment Museum database]”.

The 1910 Electoral Roll lists only Charles Games (with an ‘S’) which led us to the family composition of the 1911 Census showing Charles and father and Herbert Charles as son, viz:

The family lived at Swallows Cross on the edge of Blackmore next to Mountnessing and Doddinghurst. The centre of Doddinghurst parish is about a mile or so down the road through Wyatts Green.

In the census return we established for Capfield read Cockfield, near Lavenham. No such name of Capfield appears in the Shell Guide to Suffolk.

What is coincidental is the place of birth of the two Herbert Game’s at Cockfield but, then again, should that be surprising. Conjecturally brothers Herbert and Charles must have moved to the Blackmore area about 1901-1903.

Returning then to (your) Herbert Game. He gives his place of residence at the time of marriage as Blackmore. It opens another sheet of names who we are commemorating – that will surprise the other researchers! His name however is not recorded on the War Memorial because in all probability he was not living in Blackmore but in Kent.

And what about Henry of Swallows Cross? Was he ‘Robert Henry’ the brother of Herbert Charles?

Travelling south, the parish boundary lies well to the east of the Mountnessing Road until about 100 yards from Swallows Cross, where it swings in to the east verge. So the houses to the east of the cross are in Mountnessing parish, while Chivers Farm, to the south of the Doddinghurst Road, is in Doddinghurst.

Andrew

Received19 April 2010

Hi Andrew

Thanks for all the data which you have been sending me; to be honest most of it is not new to me. Some commentary :

Firstly the Charles Game/ Herbert Charles Game family. As you have gathered the 1911 census is wrong to name them as Games. They must have moved to the Blackmore area after 1901 as the whole family is still living in Cockfield in that year according to the census. Their direct Game ancestors (all living in Cockfield) can be traced back to 1590. The 1911 census is also wrong with regard to Jane May Games as her correct name is Iona May Game (from BDM). Charles had two other daughters Rebina Martha born in 1890 and Edith Jane born in 1896. I do not know what happened to her after 1901. By 1911 Edith seems to have already left home and was living in Wandsworth (presumably as a servant girl). Interestingly Edith Jane Game was a witness at my grandfather Herbert Game's marriage as was a 'Minnie' Miller, a surname that appears often in Blackmore.

Secondly my Grandfather Herbert Game. I don't know when he moved to the Blackmore area, but as you suggest presumably at about the same time as his brother, Charles or more likely afterwards. I also don't know where he was between 1891 (Cockfield according to the census) and 1909 when he married in Blackmore; he does not appear in the 1901 census (there are several Herbert Game entries, but they do not have the right criteria). I believe he may have been in Ireland, where his wife was born and lived otherwise I don't see how they could have met his wife. His friend, brother-in-law and witness at his marriage was certainly there at that time.

He was living in Swallow's Cross in 1910 because it’s the birthplace of my uncle, Albert Game. In 1913 he was living in Green Lane Cottages, Ongar Road, Brentwood, the birthplace of my Father; presumably that's in Brentwood rather than Blackmore or Doddinghurst.

I do not believe he ever actually lived in Farnborough, Kent as possibly inferred from the CWGC and the Essex Regiment entries. I actually visited the Essex regiment museum and had a long discussion with their database administrator and there are some oddities about the service record data they have. His actual record cannot be found in the National Archives, presumably one of the 'burnt series'.

My Grandmother, Herbert's wife certainly did live in Farnborough from about 1915 when she moved from Essex. I think she moved there (at about or after Herbert enlisted) to be with her parents being pregnant at the time with Herbert's last child. The fact that Herbert enlisted at Warley supports this as otherwise he would surely have enlisted in Kent? Up to 1914 her parents had never lived in Kent. I have no idea why they moved there and their story and movements are extremely complicated as her father was in the Navy and moved around coastguard stations. I won't bore you with any of that data. All of this convinces me that he lived in Essex until his enlistment. In any case, I guess his involvement with Blackmore was of only about 10 years duration.

Thirdly Henry Game.He is a complete mystery ! The fact that he was in the same small area as the two families suggests he must be related, but I cannot find anyone who matches unless it is Robert Henry as you have suggested. I believe Robert may have married in 1926 (Ongar RO registration) so it’s a possibility. The unit is also rather odd - you'd expect Essex or Suffolk. I tried to do some research on him and the unit, but got nowhere.

Sorry about the over-long e-mail, but it is obviously of interest to me.

Regards, Colin

Replied19 April 2010

Colin

Many thanks for your interesting E mail which I will edit and post on the website soon.

The picture last month was an aerial photo of Blackmore village but one made into a jigsaw puzzle. Fiendishly difficult to complete I am told; it was a Christmas present from a relative.

Burial Register (1893 – 1992) Look Up Service

The webmaster has a transcript of Blackmore’s Burial Register, with kind acknowledgment to the Vicar and Churchwardens of the Priory Church of St Laurence, Blackmore. The Register covers the period 1893 to 1992. The original is in the Church safe and not deposited at the Essex Record Office.

I recently received the site’s first enquiry, which I could readily answer. “I have just discovered that my great grandfather, Daniel Walker, was the publican at the Prince Albert in 1906 & 1908. He died on 27 May 1912 aged 66 and I wonder if you have a record in your burial transcripts. Your website is quite amazing - your passion for your hobby shines through, keep up the good work. Regards from sunny NSW Australia”. Daniel Walker was indeed buried at Blackmore on 31 May 1912. He was 66.

War Memorial Research Project Group

The work of this Group to identify all the names carved on Blackmore’s War Memorial is almost complete but inevitably there are some gaps in biographies which remain to be filled. The good news is that all names have been identified sufficiently to allow the obelisk to be accurately re-engraved. The professionals are coming to The Green this month. One of the interesting aspects of the Project is the number of people who have made contact through this blog and the partner website. If you have any information on those who died or survived from Blackmore and the surrounding area from the First World War we would be very pleased to hear from you.

Supporting ‘Help For Heroes’

Lyndon March, whose family originally hail from Ingatestone, and Connor Mayes (otherwise referred to as ‘The Dynamic Duo’) are a couple of teenagers who will be taking part in a 350 mile sponsored bicycle ride from London to Paris in July 2010 in support of ‘Help For Heroes’. You can follow and support their fund raising efforts on http://connormayes.blogspot.com/2010/04/blackmore-area-local-history-essex-home.html. I am delighted to lend my support to them and their cause. Come on lads!!!

The newly refurbished Priests House next to All Saints Church Doddinghurst will be open for afternoon teas on summer Sunday afternoons (16 May, 20 June, 18 July, 15 August, 19 September) between 2.30 and 4.30pm. In aid of church funds.

At the Priory Church of St Laurence, Blackmore, the famous Teas In The Tower is on the 1st Sunday in the month from May to October, 2.30 to 4.30pm.

Finally, the church at Stondon Massey is open to visitors on the 2nd Sunday in the month from 2.30 to 4.30pm, from May to September. The duty stewards will be more than happy to boil the kettle for you.

http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/ has gained in popularity in recent months. When 40 visitors clicked on the website in the week ending 11 April this took the total count to over 1000. This means that over 500 hits have occurred since November. Latest statistics show that in the week ending 25 April there were 47 hits, which is a new record.

Welcome

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Blackmore Area Local History

I am a keen amateur local historian who has always lived in the CM4 postal district (Ingatestone and Blackmore).
I am currently running an interim blog for the Essex Society for Archaeology and History - see esah160.blogspot.co.uk - and have recently completed a Certificate in Local History at the University of Essex.
The purpose of this blog (which began in 2007) and partner website is simply to encourage everyone to consider, explore and learn about their local heritage and history. The Internet is a marvellous resource and enables people from around the corner and around the world to share.
Enjoy the journey of discovery.